P. N. Haakenson Health Sciences Library

NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health Library

New Exhibit: The Rise of Thundar

The Rise of Thundar: A History of NDSU’s Mascot

The Main Library has recently installed an exhibit highlighting the progression of NDSU’s cherished mascot, Thundar. It includes many photos and artifacts from the Archives that focus on how Thundar came to be and also some interesting facts about Bison Athletics over the years. It starts from the beginning when NDSU was still “North Dakota Agricultural College” (NDAC) and the school athletic teams were referred to as the “Aggies.” A more “fierce” nickname was suggested which led us to becoming the “Bison.” The image of the bison became the centerpiece for sports, homecoming events and unofficial logos.

The first costumed Bison mascot appeared in 1964 and had a few different looks over the years. The most recent costume was purchased in 2004 which aligned with the move to Division 1 athletics. Through the mascot’s evolution, Thundar has become the symbol of the Herd and embodies what it means to be a Bison fan.

We hope you can stop by and view this appealing exhibit and connect with the treasures from our Archives. It will be up throughout the fall semester.

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student-focused, land-grant, research university. We are a top-ranked institution, providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges – our graduates shape a better world.